Last updated: [05/16/23]
COVID-19 Information
Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for nonimmigrant travel
As of 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States.
Entry and Exit Requirements
- Are there COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens? No
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No
- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? No
Quarantine Information
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No
- Travelers arriving to Bulgaria no longer must provide COVID-19 related documents to enter the country and they are not required to quarantine upon arrival. However, if foreign visitors test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Bulgaria, they will be required to self-isolate for 7 days. Additionally, there is a mandatory 5-day self-isolation requirement (starting from the date of last contact with the infected person) for anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. During self-isolation visitors are not permitted to leave Bulgaria.
COVID-19 Testing
- Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in BULGARIA? Yes
- COVID-19 testing is widely available at sites across the country, including hospitals and private laboratories. The fee is generally approximately $50 and is fully covered by the U.S. Citizen.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
- Has the government of Bulgaria approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
- Are vaccines available in Bulgaria for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes
- Which vaccines are available in Bulgaria? AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Availability is fluid and based on supply.
- Bulgaria has a Bulgarian-language online registration system for vaccination against Covid-19: COVID-19 Регистрация за ваксинация :: НЗИС (his.bg). Permanent and long-term residents in Bulgaria can use their Bulgarian personal identification number (ЛНЧ) to register in the system and to choose their preferred type of vaccine, vaccination center, and a vaccination time slot.
- Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.
Local Resources:
- The Bulgarian government has created a COVID-19 United Information Portal.
(Bulgarian only) - Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Situation Center website. (Bulgarian only)
- CDC page on COVID-19
- Bulgaria Country Information and Travel Advisory on Travel.State.Gov
- Re-open EU travel information for other EU countries, if transiting on the way to Bulgaria
Movement Restrictions
- Is a curfew in place? No
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No
Fines for Non-Compliance
- The police are strictly enforcing measures and failure to comply could result in a fine.
- Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to self-isolate for 7 days. Additionally, there is a mandatory 5-day self-isolation requirement (starting from the date of last contact with the infected person) for anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
- It is no longer necessary to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate to visit indoor venues.
Consular Operations
- Any individual seeking services from the Embassy must wear a mask and should be prepared to present a valid digital or paper COVID-19 certificate showing that the person has been vaccinated against COVID-19 or has received a negative COVID test result within 48 hours or has recovered from COVID-19. Recovery from COVID-19 can be proven by a valid COVID certificate of recovery, certifying by a PCR test that a person has suffered from COVID-19. The COVID certificate of recovery is valid for 90 days. Minors under the age of 18 are exempt from this requirement.
- The Consular section is providing all normal and emergency services for U.S. citizens in Bulgaria. For more information or to schedule a service, please visit our U.S. Citizen Services page.
- The U.S. Embassy in Sofia has resumed routine visa operations. We are processing all categories of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. We are currently offering as many appointments as COVID-19 local conditions, resources, and safety considerations allow. We encourage all applicants to be mindful of the constraints and to apply early. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-serve basis as capacity allows. Interview waiver processing for eligible visa renewals continues.
